Monday, June 30, 2014

Learn how to take full advantage of all of Raspberry Pi’s amazing features and functions—and have a blast doing it!

Congratulations on becoming a proud owner of a Raspberry Pi, the credit-card-sized computer! If you’re ready to dive in and start finding out what this amazing little gizmo is really capable of, this ebook is for you.

Taken from the forthcoming Raspberry Pi Projects, Raspberry Pi Hardware Projects 1 contains three cool hardware projects that let you have fun with the Raspberry Pi while developing your Raspberry Pi skills. The authors – PiFace inventor, Andrew Robinson and Raspberry Pi For Dummies co-author, Mike Cook – show you how to build:

Reaction timer

Twittering toy

Disco Lights

The ebook also includes a brief guide to setting up the Raspberry Pi for those very new to its unique ways and a bonus project, the Insult Generator, which will teach you simple Python programming while making you laugh.

With Raspberry Pi Hardware Projects 1 you’ll learn everything you need to know to program the Raspberry Pi and build cool, automated and interactive gadgets in no time.

Raspberry Pi is a UK Non Profit with the goal of creating a new generation of computer programmers. Observing how the UK Tech Industry was kickstarted by the availability in the 1980s of relatively cheap, very programmable computers such as the ZX81, the Commodore and the BBC Micro, the Raspberry Pi Foundation designed a £15/$25 computer which encourages the user to play and to learn. Although intended for schools, it has also been adopted by hackers and geeks, and a whole ecosystem of software and hardware is being built around the Pi. With a million boards now sold, the goal of the Foundation is well underway.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

With the invention of the unique credit-card sized single-board computer, the Raspberry Pi, comes a new wave of hardware geeks, hackers, and hobbyists who are excited about the possibilities of the Raspberry Pi, and this is the perfect guide to get you started in this exhilarating new arena. With this fun and friendly book, you'll quickly discover why the supply for the Pi cannot keep up with the demand! Veteran tech authors Sean McManus and Mike Cook show you how to download and install the operating system, use the installed applications, and much more.

Covers connecting the Pi to other devices such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and more

Teaches you basic Linux System Admin

Walks you through editing images, creating web pages, and playing music

Details how to program with Scratch and Python

Explores creating simple hardware projects

Raspberry Pi For Dummies makes computing as easy as pie.

Now discover the history of Raspberry Pi!

The Raspberry Pi sold a million units in its first year, and came from a previously unknown organisation, The Raspberry Pi Foundation. If you’ve ever wondered how it came into being, and what inspired its creation, Sean McManus, co-author of Raspberry Pi For Dummies, has the answer. He has set up a section on his website to share bonus content, which includes a short history of the Raspberry Pi. At Sean’s website, you can also read reviews of the book, see videos of its projects, and read several exclusive blog posts about the Raspberry Pi and its community.

The Raspberry Pi foundation has been selling their computers since 2012 with the aim of inspiring programmers and engineers.

Raspberry Pi Cookbook for Python Programmers is a practical guide for getting the most out of this little computer. It will guide you through the many uses of the Raspberry Pi and allow you to showcase the best it has to offer. Discover what the Raspberry Pi has to offer using detailed Python 3 examples that you can adapt and extend; see where your creativity takes you!

"Raspberry Pi Cookbook for Python Programmers" begins by guiding you through setting up the Raspberry Pi, performing tasks using Python 3 and introduces the first steps to interface with electronics. As you work through each chapter you will build up your skills and knowledge and apply them as you progress throughout the book, delving further and further into the unique abilities and features of the Raspberry Pi.

Later, you will learn how to automate tasks by accessing files, build applications using the popular Tkinter library and create games by controlling graphics on screen. You will harness the power of the built-in graphics processor by using Pi3D to generate your own high quality 3D graphics and environments. Connect directly to the Raspberry Pi’s hardware pins to control electronics from switching on LEDs and responding to push buttons right through to driving motors and servos. Learn how to monitor sensors to gather real-life data and use it to control other devices, and view the results over the Internet. Apply what you have learnt by creating your own Pi-Rover or Pi-Hexipod robots. Finally, we will explore using many of the purpose-built add-ons available for the Raspberry Pi, as well as interfacing with common household devices in new ways.

The "Raspberry Pi Cookbook for Python Programmers" will allow you to discover the vast range of abilities this micro-computer has. By following the clear examples you can pick up many new skills and arm yourself with the tools to create your own exciting and interesting projects.

Technology today is growing rapidly, with all sorts of cool gadgets, applications, and games made thanks to the rise of computer programming. The Raspberry Pi is a crafty device that has promoted the teaching of basic computer science in schools, catching the attention of both young and old. Although learning to program offers a unique set of skills that allows you to explore your creative side, it has its own challenges, which may mean you will need a helping hand.

This handy guide will launch you into the world of computer programming by showing you how to build your own amazing applications. Raspberry Pi Projects for Kids contains several awesome projects for you to get hands-on with, including creating your own games, crafting your own simple electronics, and making your own interactive map. By learning how to use Scratch and Python in your programming, you will be a computer scientist in no time!

After you have become comfortable with setting up and playing with your Raspberry Pi, you will be transported into this exciting world of technology, where you will get to grips with using Scratch, Raspberry Pi s official programming language, in order to develop your own version of Angry Birds! After connecting new circuitry, lights, and switches to your Raspberry Pi, you will then get to use Scratch to create your own reaction game. See for yourself who s the quickest off the mark!)You will finally get to step things up by developing an interactive map of your own hometown using the Python programming language. You will be working for Google before you know it!

This book will teach you everything you need to know about using your Raspberry Pi in order to develop your own games, applications, and electronic circuits. It s time to have your Pi and eat it, because you will be able to create virtually anything you like.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Learn Raspberry Pi Programming with Python will show you how to program your nifty new $35 computer to make a web spider, a weather station, a media server, and more. You'll learn how to program in Python on your Raspberry Pi with hands-on examples and fun projects.

Even if you're completely new to programming in general, you'll figure out how to create a home security system, an underwater photography system, an RC plane with a camera, and even a near-space weather balloon with a camera.

You'll learn how to make a variety of fun and even useful projects, from a web bot to search and download files to a toy to drive your pets insane. You'll even learn how to use Pi with Arduino as well as Pi with Gertboard, an expansion board with an onboard ATmega microcontroller.

What you’ll learn

Raspberry Pi and electronics basics

Quick intro to Linux

Python basics to get you started on a set of projects

How to make a variety of Pi and Python projects, including servers and gadgets with cameras

How to use Pi with Arduino and Gertboard

Who this book is for

Readers who want to learn Python on a fun platform like the Pi and pick up some electronics skills along the way. No programming or Linux skill required, but a little experience with Linux will be helpful.

Table of Contents
1. Introducing the Raspberry Pi
2. Linux by the Seat of Your Pants
3. Introducing Python
4. Electronics at 100mph
5. The WebBot
6. The Weather Station
7. The Media Server
8. The Home Security System
9. The Cat Toy
10. The Radio-controlled Airplane
11. The Weather Balloon
12. The Submersible
13. The Gertboard
14. The Raspberry Pi and the Arduino

Make your projects come to life, using practical programming principles

Learn how to plan and build your own interactive projects

In Detail

Playing video games is fun, however, it's even more fun to make your own! Scratch 2.0 makes that challenge a lot easier. Instead of diving into abstract and confusing code, you can build games using easy to understand logic blocks. Within minutes you can have your first game up and running.

Readers can look forward to an easily accessible and fun introduction to programming and interactive media design. Within minutes of starting the program, you will be able to see the first results of your hard work. Visual feedback comes early and often, making high-level, abstract concepts a lot easier to understand.

This book offers readers access to completely interactive projects based on well-known video game genres. You will then learn how to use standard programming principles such as operators, variables, and functions.

From a broader perspective, you will also learn how to plan and develop a game from a general idea to the finished product, creating a fun and user-friendly game. Scratch 2.0 includes many new and exciting features, which makes it possible to create more advanced games. The final results will be close to production level games. This book will not only introduce you to the Scratch 2.0 software, but also teach you about interactive media design.

What you will learn from this book

Draw and edit game graphics

Construct scripts from logic blocks

Utilize operators and conditions to steer game actions

Use variables and lists to save and reuse dynamic numbers

Create both mouse and keyboard controls for various purposes

Implement natural physics effects such as collisions and gravity

Invent and build power-ups

Learn how to use some advanced math, for better looking movement patterns

Make interesting level designs

Balance the game for an enjoyable experience

Reuse elements to speed up the building process

Approach

An easy-to-use book, containing 10 engaging projects that will help you learn how to build video games with the easy to use Scratch 2.0 environment.

Who this book is written for

If you are a new, or current Scratch user and would like to improve your understanding of the new Scratch 2.0 interface, and learn how to make video games, this book is ideal for you. Each project is explained in-depth from start to finish, so everyone can follow along, even if you don't have much previous experience with the software. If you want to become a video game designer, this book is an easy- to- use and friendly guide about the world of interactive media. It will teach, challenge, and inspire you to create great interactive projects.

Robotics development is accelerating, and an amazing array of new hardware and software capabilities are available to anyone with an interest in the area. Robots will soon be a part of our everyday life, and it will soon be as important to know how they work as it is to know how a computer works. Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized, fully capable PC that can be used for many of the things that your desktop PC does, such as spreadsheets, word processing, and games.

This book starts with the essentials of turning on the basic hardware. It provides the capability to interpret your commands and have your robot initiate actions. By the time you are through, you’ll have robots that can speak, listen, and move in a number of amazing ways.

This book is a step-by-step projects guide to unlocking some complex and interesting capabilities of Raspberry Pi. Teaching you to use Raspberry Pi from scratch, this book will discuss a wide range of capabilities that can be achieved with it. These capabilities include voice recognition, human-like speech simulation, computer vision, motor control, GPS location, and wireless control. You will then learn how to combine these capabilities to create your own robotics projects.

By the time you have completed this book, you will be able to use Raspberry Pi to create some complex and fascinating robotics projects with a vast array of capabilities.

What you will learn from this book

Unbox, power-up, and configure Raspberry Pi with Ubuntu, a powerful version of Linux

Exercise vision control in your projects to distinguish colors, patterns, or movements

Apply and control speech software to enable your projects to speak

Discover external hardware to enable your robotics projects to move

Create complex robotics projects that can move, swim, or even fly

Interact with your projects wirelessly so that they can be truly autonomous

Approach

This book is for enthusiasts who want to use Raspberry Pi to build complex robotics projects. However, some programming background is recommended. With the aid of the step-by-step instructions in this book, you can construct complex robotics projects that can move, talk, listen, see, swim, or fly.

Who this book is written for

Raspberry Pi Robotics Projects is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step projects guide packed full of examples of actual robotics projects. Each topic is explained in detail to make it easy to replicate the projects described.

Raspberry Pi makes a good server that facilitates you with eminently achievable to the massively ambitious ideas. It is a capable computer that can perform tasks that involve spreadsheets, word processing, and games. It also plays high-definition video. If you are looking for a way to set up a low cost web server, primarily to be used as a testing environment or to store files, then Raspberry Pi is perfect for you.

This book demonstrates Raspberry Pi's ability to perform tasks that a mini computer would, in an efficient manner using a minimum number of power resources. You can connect your Raspberry Pi to the Internet at home to share files, host multi-player games, or even host a website.

Starting with the pre-requisites and installation of Pi, you will learn how to setup Pi as a web server with MySQL. This book progresses with building Pi as a file server and knowing about using the various file transfer protocols. It also guides you to install Bitcoin/ Litecoin and set up Bitcoin wallet. You will learn how to stream a webcam to watch movies in HD or camera module.

Complete your journey by learning how to use Pi as a game server by using basic console commands to get graphical content.

What you will learn from this book

Use Raspberry Pi as a low cost network storage device

Configure a webserver using PHP and work with databases

Host multi-player games by using Pi as a game server to get graphical content

Enable extra features such as installing a wireless adapter, enabling the hardware watchdog, and updating and upgrading the distro

Approach

This is an engaging, easy to follow guide for developing a wide range of server projects with Raspberry Pi

Who this book is written for

This book is targeted towards all Raspberry Pi enthusiasts who are interested in exploring the potential of Pi as a server. Even if you have no prior experience with the Raspberry Pi, you can pick up this book and develop a wide range of projects.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Communicate with your robot and teach it to detect and respond to its environment

Develop walking, rolling, swimming, and flying robots

In Detail

Thanks to new, inexpensive microcontrollers, robotics has become far more accessible than it was in the past. These microcontrollers provide a whole new set of capabilities to allow even the most inexperienced users to make amazingly complicated projects. Beaglebone is effectively a small, light, cheap computer in a similar vein to Raspberry Pi and Arduino. It has all of the extensibility of today's desktop machines, but without the bulk, expense, or noise.

This project guide provides step-by-step instructions to allow anyone to use this new, low cost platform in some fascinating robotics projects. By the time you are finished, your projects will be able to see, speak, listen, detect their surroundings, and move in a variety of amazing ways.

The book begins with unpacking and powering up the components.This will include guidance on what to purchase and how to connect it all successfully-and a primer on programming the BeagleBone Black. Chapter by chapter, we will add additional software functionality available from the open source community, including how to make the system see using a webcam, how to hear using a microphone, and how to speak using a speaker. We then add hardware to make your robots move-including wheeled and legged examples-as well as covering how to add sonar sensors to avoid or find objects, plus wireless control to make your robot truly autonomous. Adding GPS allows the robot to find itself. Finally the book covers how to integrate all of this functionality so that it can all work together, before developing the most impressive robotics projects: those that can sail, fly, and explore underwater.

Set up a webcam and a computer vision toolkit for distinguishing objects

Communicate with external motors to enable you robotics projects to move in a variety of ways

Process audio signals like music or other sounds

Add GPS capability to your system so it will know where it is

Use the building blocks you have learned to create complex robotic projects that can combine all of these features and more

Approach

Develop practical example projects with detailed explanations; combine the projects in a vast number of ways to create different robot designs, or work through them in sequence to discover the full capability of the BeagleBone Black.

Who this book is written for

This book is for anyone who is curious about using new, low-cost hardware to create robotic projects that have previously been the domain of research labs, major universities or Defence departments. Some programming experience would be useful, but if you know how to use a personal computer, you can use this book to construct far more complex systems than you would have thought possible.